"The trip you arranged for us to Cape Town earlier this year was absolutely superb - we would not hesitate to use you again"- Paul and Julie Gibbins
Ranch Holidays
Enquire about this destination...
Pull on your cowboy boots and head off into the sunset - fulfilling your dreams of cowboy life from those classic Western movies! escape2luxury work with one of the leading Ranch operators whose expertise is matching you, your partner or your family to one of the seventy ranches they feature, to give you the best type of accommodation and activities for your ranching experience.
Ranch holidays offer excellent value for money – they include all meals and lodging and usually up to 4 hours riding a day, as well as other ranch and cowboy activities, along with warm hospitality.
Ranching breaks work well with tailor-made holidays to the US – we offer ranches in Colorado, Arizona – great for the Grand Canyon, Montana – close to Yellowstone Park, California, Idaho & Wyoming as well as New Mexico, Oregon, Texas & Canada. Please call our travel consultants for details and suggested itineraries.
Choose your ranch style
Before selecting your final holiday destination and ranch, we recommend that you take time to look at the different styles of ranch available to you – your escape2luxury personal travel consultant will be happy to discuss the options with you. Some ranches will suit people who wish to simply relax and enjoy the pleasant surroundings, whereas others will appeal to the more energetic types that will involve the hard work of cattle round-up and duties associated with the running of a working ranch. It is especially important to make the correct choice when holidaying with children – we have access to a great variety of ranches, many of which are ideal for families and couples. For those wishing to take part in horsemanship, there are ranches available that will be suited to your level of riding ability and we are able to advise accordingly. Choosing the right ranch will mean you gain maximum satisfaction from your ranching experience…
Dude Ranch - Dude ranches are geared to catering for a wide variety of interests and are ideal for those people who want a “something doing all the time” vacation. A full weekly programme of Western activities is usually included in your holiday price – such as Wild West shows, rodeo visits, square dances, barbecues and a host of sports and outdoor activities. Meals are usually taken family style – all together. The riding programmes at most Dude ranches can cater for abilities ranging from novice to experienced, making this option a real family vacation.
Working Ranch - the principal activity of a Working Ranch is the raising of cattle and crops but guests have become an important part of the operation. For the best experience you should be a reasonably confident adult rider and not too fainthearted ! The daily activities tend to be unstructured as they are geared around the ranch’s annual cycle. Springtime sees more calf work ( branding and inoculating ) and moving cattle out to summer pastures, they return in September or October. Summertime means checking stock, fences, water supplies etc. This is great option if you want tot experience genuine Western ranch life.
Guest Ranch – these ranches are designed primarily to take care of the guests. Generally, horses may be the only livestock, so riding tends to be the major activity - you can ride and relax and enjoy the alternative Western activities available on an informal basis, in charming surroundings. Accommodation and food tend to be of a high standard, families are well catered for in the summer holidays.
Resort Ranch – resort ranches are as varied in their locations as they are in what they have to offer. Some emphasize their luxurious cabins, meals and wine list placing riding as a secondary activity. Others may offer the full ‘Cowboy Experience’ in decorated log cabins with gourmet cuisine, and a great and varied riding programme no matter what level of rider you are. In addition there is a full weekly schedule of activities set around the riding and meal times plus numerous off-ranch activities such as rafting, golf or ballooning. Some of these ranches have excellent summer Counsellor programmes for children giving the parents the chance to relax.
Ranches in Arizona
White Stallion Ranch, Tuscon, Arizona. Dude Ranch
A delightful Spanish-style ranch only 17 miles from Tuscon in an isolated and quiet desert garden setting. This a warm, hospitable ranch which basks in the glorious Arizona sun and is open from September to May. Purebred longhorn cattle graze on the ranches 3000 acres, rugged mountains from a backdrop to the rides, both fast and slow.
- Suitable for all guests.
- Children and adults, if they wish, may brush and saddle their own horse.
Price per person, per week, full board, including all activities, airport transfer & service charge, from £708
Kay El Bar, Wickenburg, Arizona. Guest Ranch
Tucked away in a little valley near the old mining town of Wickenburg, 60 miles from Pheonix, this lovely old guest ranch, a National Historic Site, has been here for over 80 years. Riding is on scenic trails high into the hills above the Hassyampa River. Highlights are ‘Gold Rush Days’ in February, a country music ‘Bluegrass Festival’ in November and cowboy poetry in December. Open September to early June.
- Family run ranch.
- Lots of fun.
Price per person, per week, full board & service charge, from £725
Price Canyon Ranch, Chiricahua, Arizona. Guest Ranch
Surrounded by the Chiricahua Mountains, whose rocky peaks reach 9000 feet, guests here can participate in an authentic Western lifestyle experience ranging from branding and weaning cattle to moving cattle up to summer pasture. They generally offer two working rides each day about tow to three hours long. The trails range from grassy meadows to more challenging terrain. Open all year round.
- Great for cattle drives.
- Good for more experienced riders.
Price per person, per week, full board & service charge, from £839
Extras: £29 per day supplement for cattle drives.
Also available in Arizona:
- Elkhorn Ranch, Tucson - Guest Ranch
- Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson – Resort Ranch
- Stagecoach Trails, Yucca – Guest Ranch
- The Flying E Ranch, Wickenburg'
Ranches in Colorado
Drowsy Water Ranch, Granby, Colorado. Dude Ranch
Situated in famous ranch country close to the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park at 8200 ft, Drowsy Water takes its name from the pretty creek meandering through the property – this a great place for families who are all warmly greeted by the owner, Randy Sue. Trail riding instruction helps you become a better rider, and there are miles of spectacular rides and scenery to explore. Children under 5 years old have their own riding and activities programme supervised by Counsellors. Open May to September.
- Great for families.
- Only 90 miles from Denver.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities and service charge, from £918
Coulter Lake Ranch, Rifle, Colorado, Guest Ranch
Homesteaded in 1903, Coulter Lake Guest Ranch remains relatively unchanged today. Secluded deep within the White River National Forest at an elevation of 8,100 feet, Coulter Lake Guest Ranch sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by aspen and pine covered mountains with incredible valleys and streams to explore. The rustic cabins and lodge overlook pristine Coulter Lake, that’s teeming with trophy rainbow trout waiting to test the avid fly fisherman or your child's first cast. White water rafting is available on the Colorado River (additional charge).
- Excellent children's programme.
- Mountain trail riding.
Price per person, per week, full board and activities from £978
Lost Valley Ranch, Sedalia, Colorado. Dude Ranch
A working cattle and horse ranch settled in 1883, where dudes can lend a hand. Great riding combines with first class family facilities and a full programme of summertime leisure activities providing western fun where guests become friends. The riding instruction is fun and safe, guest leave as better riders. Youths and children all have their own dedicated Wranglers and each age group has activities to compliment them. Open April to November.
- Excellent for families.
- High number of young staff for children & youths.
- 60 miles from Denver.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities and service charge, from £633, children from £511
Focus Ranch, Slater, Colorado. Working Ranch
This is a working cattle ranch that invites guests to share in the day to day operations. They run 1500 plus head of yearling cattle and from May onwards these have to be moved to fresh pastures on a regular basis giving the opportunity for some varied riding. Open May to October. Extras available, rafting, golf and rodeos.
- Working cattle ranch.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities and service charge, from £977
Historic Pines Guest Ranch, Westcliffe, Colorado. Dude Ranch
Guests can enjoy clean air, mountain scenery, an outstanding western riding programme, hiking trails, trout water fishing and home cooked meals alongside an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and sauna. Horseback riding is the centerpiece of your stay, wranglers will match you up with a horse right away and you will learn to ride or improve your riding skills all week. Other activities are on offer here such as high mountain picnics, country swing dance lessons, campfire sing a longs and trail riding - seasonal white-water rafting trips are available at an additional cost. Open April to September.
- Excellent value.
- Great for families.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities and service charge, from £694, children from £458
Also available in Colorado
- Wilderness Trails Ranch, Durango – Dude Ranch
- Chico Basin Ranch, Colorado Springs – Working Ranch
- Tarryall Ranch, Lake George – Dude Ranch
- Vista Verde Ranch, Steamboat Springs – Resort Ranch
- Cherokee Park Ranch, Livermore – Dude Ranch
- North Fork Ranch, Shawnee – Dude Ranch
Ranches in Montana
Sweet Grass Ranch, Big Timber, Montana. Guest Ranch
This is a charming working cattle ranch that takes in guests situated in the Crazy Mountains of south central Montana. They raise Angus cattle and horses and there are great riding opportunities everyday either into the high alpine meadows or across the rolling foothills. Cabins are set alongside the creek so you can hear the water in the evening, along with owls and coyotes. Trips can be arranged to ghost towns, museums, Indian ceremonials, Yellowstone Park and rodeos. Open June to September.
- Working cattle ranch.
- Trips to Yellowstone Park.
Price per person, per week, full board, riding and service charge, from £792
63 Ranch, Livingston, Montana. Guest Ranch
TThis ranch is situated just 50 miles north of Yellowstone Park bordering Gallatin National Forest in the Absaroka Mountains. To the north are rolling grassy hills, ridges and sagebrush benches above the Yellowstone River – a truly magical location. This is a real western working guest ranch, guests often join in moving cattle and learning to lasso. During the summer there is a weekly overnight horseback pack trip to ‘Bear Wallow’ Wilderness. The ranch is open from June to September.
- 50 miles from Yellowstone Park.
- Western working guest ranch.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities, from £916
Service charge payable locally, 10-15‰ recommended
Extras: Overnight trip, £107 per person
Rocking Z Ranch, Helena, Montana. Guest Ranch
This is where the Rockies meet the Prairies, the Wirth family have had this ranch since 1862. Riding trip are between two and five hours each day plus arena games. Fly fishing on local rivers is not to be missed. Open May to October.
- Great for experienced riders.
- Fly fishing on local rivers.
Price per person, per week, full board, activities and service charge, from £799
Also available in Montana
- Montana Horse Country Adventures, Townsend – Working Ranch
- Triple J Ranch, Augusta – Dude Ranch
- Double Spear Ranch, Pryor – Working Ranch
- Lonesome Spur Ranch, Bridger – Guest Ranch
- Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, Gallatin Gateway – Dude Ranch
- Triple Creek Ranch, Darby – Resort Ranch
- Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky – Resort Ranch
- Beartooth River Guest Ranch - Guest Ranch
Please contact one of our travel consultants to further discuss your ranch holiday.
